Can boxing machine



Aug. 25, 1936. I w. 0.. KIMBALL ET AL CAN BOXING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29,1930 7 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTORS Aug. 25, 1936. w. D. KIMBA'LL Er AL2,052,513

CAN BOXING MACHINE v Filed Dec. 29, 1930 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 iNVENTORS a;,%%w 47W 6mm avg A 0R 1936. w. D. KIMBALL ET AL CAN BOXI-NG MACHINEFiled Dec. 29, 1930 7 $heets-Sheet 3 Aug. 25, 1936.

w. D. KIM-BALL ET AL' CAN BOXING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29, 1950 7Sheets-Sheet 4' I I l 1Q" I In h A 9 Q- l Aug. 25, 1936.

W. D. KIMBALL ET AL CAN BOXING MACHINE Filed Dec. 29, 1930 7Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG? 1010 N I IHv Q f Aug. 25, 1936 w, KIMBALL, ET AL2,052,513

CAN BOXING MACHINE Fild Dec. 29, 19s0 7 Sheets-Sheet es Aug. 25, 1936.w. D. KIMBALL ET AL 1 5 CAN BOXING MACHINE File d Dec. 29, 1933 7Sheets-Sheet '7 v IIIIIIIIIIIE ll "HI w I VENTORS BY Z Mm I PatentedAug. 25, 1936 PATENT OFFICE CAN noxmo MACHINE Wallace D. Kimball,Jackson Heights, and Cornelius I. Bream-Jamaica, N. Y., and George P.Schaefer, Midland Park, N. J., assignors, by

mesne assignments, to Standard-Knapp Corporation, a corporation of NewYork Application December 29, 1930, Serial No. 505,282 16 Claim. (01.226- This invention relates to machines capable of stacking canned goodsor the like in suitable superposed rows or tiers and then forcing thecans into boxes or cartons of suitable size to receive a definite numberof cans.

Machines of this general character constructed heretofore have been sodesigned that a number of cans in excess of that required for a singlerow have had to be introduced into the machine, before the cans for thenext row above or below could be supplied. For example if it weredesired to stack twelve cans in three rows of four cans each it would benecessary in theprior constructions to introduce a number of cans inex-- cess of the twelve to be boxed in order to effect the desiredstacking. Thus the first four cans of a batch fed into the machine wouldsupply one of the rows, while the next group of between four and. tencans or more would not become a part of the stack then in the process offormation.

The succeeding group of four cans would constitute a second row of thestack and there might be an additional group of cans entering themachine to fill up certain reserve storage spaces beof groups of fourcans separated by other groups,

of cans successively introduced into the machine.

This is quite objectionable where the machine is used for the purposeofreboxing cans which have been stored away.

it is a common practice to store canned goods in unlabeled conditionin'cartons or boxes which are not sealed. When the goods are to beshipped for use they are passed through a labeling machine and thenthrough a boxing machine again. Due to the difierent character of thegoods stored in difierent lots it is highly desirable that the goodsshould be repacked in the same boxes or at least in the same order inwhich they are taken from the original boxes. This is not possible inthe operation of can boxing machines heretofore known for the reasonsalready explained. Whenever a change in the character of the goods beingboxed is met with it is necessary to remove the final cans of thepreceding group and stack these by hand.

It has been an important object of the present invention to provide acan boxing machine which willstack th- 'cans in the same order in whichthey are introduced into the machine. The arrangement is such, forexample, that the first twelve cans put into the machine will be stackedin four rows of three cans each and introduced into the first box.Toward this end the machine includes the provision of means forseparating or distributing the cans, as they are introduced, between anumber of difierent channels corresponding with the rows to be formed.The means provided for this purpose is simple yet effective 4 andcompletely reliable and is capable of performing its function at a speedgreater than that at which the machine as a whole may be operated. Thismechanism enables the efilcient use'of the machine in the reboxing ofstored cans.

Another feature of the machine contemplated by the present invention isthe provision of means permitting the use of the same distributing andstacking instrumentalities for the grouping of two stacks, of say twelvecans each, one in, advance of the other and forcing these during oneoperationof the machine into a box of suitable dimensions. Heretofore inthe boxingof cans in two layers it has been necessary to provide twoseparate stacking mechanisms placed side by side to form the two groupsor stacks of cans or to operate the machine twice to separatelyintroduce each layer into a box. The means provided in accordance withthis invention for boxing two stacks of cans in a single operation issuch that there is substantially no lost time due to the use of the samestacking devices and the operation is efliciently carried out.

Adjustability of the various portions of the machine to adapt it readilyto the handling of cans of 'various diameters is another feature of theinvention. The construction for this purpose is such that the openingthrough which the cans are introduced into the separating ordistributing mechanism and the width of certain channels in thismechanism, may be varied to insure proper operation of this mechanism inthe handling of different sized cans. Means are also provided foradjusting the runways which deliver the cans into thestacking chamber orportion of the machine and for adjusting certain detents and stopsassociated with this portion of the machine.

Other features and advantages of the construction contemplated by thepresent invention will appear from the detailed description of anillustrative form of the invention which will now be described indetailin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of the complete machine.

Figure 2 is a vertical, longitudinal section taken through theseparating or distributing portion of the machine.

Figure 3 is a transverse, sectional view taken along the line 3-3 ofFigure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal, sectional view of a detail taken along theline 4--4 of Figure 2.

'gure 5 is a horizontal, sectional view taken along the line 55 ofFigure 2.

Figure 6 is a plan view partly in section of the stacking chamber orportion of the machine disclosing the runways leading thereto.

Figure '7 is a side elevational view of the stack: ing portion of themachine with certain parts broken away, illustrating certain detents andstops, as well as the pushing devices used in forcing the cans into theboxes.

Figure 8 is a vertical, sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 7 Showing theconstruction at the stacking and boxing end of the machine.

Figure 9 is a horizontal, sectional view taken along the line 9-9 ofFigure 7.

Figure 10 is a sectional view disclosing a detail and is taken along thelines III-I0 of Figure 9, and

Figure ll'is a diagram illustrating the development of certain camfaces.

Referring now to the drawings, the machine may comprise a suitable framestructure Ill adapted to support all of the various portions of themachine at a suitable height above the ground. This frame may beprovided with upstanding arms having mounted thereon at an appropriateinclination to the horizontal a base or frame structure II. At the highor .eft end of this structure, as shown in Figure '1, there is providedthe distributing or separating mechanism designated generally by thereference character I2. Suitable inclined runways or tracks I3 leadingfrom the discharge end of the distributing mechanism serve to convey thecans to the stacking chamber or portion of the machine, generallydesignated by the reference character I4. The cans to be stacked andboxed may be supplied to the machine in any suitable way, as by means ofan inclined runway I5 above the distributing mechanism.

Figures 2 to 5 disclose the details of the construction of theseparating or distributing mechanism. This mechanism may be suitablyenclosed by a pair of side plates I6 and I! which are joined by variouscross rods and shafts, to be referred to hereinafter. Between these sideplates, which are spaced a slightly greater distance than the normalheight of the cans to be handled by the machine, are aifiustably mountedpairs of guide elements I8 and I9. The guides I8, one of which isadjacent each of the side plates I6 and I1, may be joined and heldsuitably spaced by means of rods riveted or otherwise secured to theguides. The spacing of the latter may be such as to place them in closeproximity to the side plates or they may be separated slightlytherefrom. In a machine intended to handle filled cans the guides arepreferably held close to the side plates so that the beads of the canswill engage. or roll upon the edges of the guides. On the other handwhere the machine is intended to handle empty cans it is preferable topermit the bead at the bottom of the can to fit between the guide andthe adjacent side plate. Guides I8 may be adjustably supported by theside plates through the use of bolts or studs 2| riveted or otherwisesecured to one of the guides and adapted to extend through-elongatedopenings 22 in the side plate IS. A wing nut 2-,- may be provided foreach of the bolts 2I and will serve to hold the two ends of the guidesin any desired position of adjustment. One extreme position of theguides is shown in full lines in Figure 2 and the other extreme positionis shown in dotted lines in this figure. In a similar way the pair ofguides I9 may be joined by a pair of rods 24 and may be adjustablysupported by studs or bolts 25 riveted or otherwise secured to one ofthe guides and adapted to pass through elongated openings 26 in the sideplate I8. Wing nuts 23 may be provided on the bolts 25 for clamping theguides in any adjusted position between the full and dotted linesindicated in Figure 2.

By proper adjustment of the pairs of guides the opening at the top ofthe distributing mechanism as well as the channel formed in part by theguides may be varied to a suitable extent to accommodate cans of variousdiameters. The adjustment of the guides should be effected in such a waythat the opening will at all times be substantially centrally disposed.This opening,

furthermore, should be of such size as to permit the cans to drop freelythrough it but should not be so large that any considerable lateralmovement of the can within the opening is permitted, since such amovement would be apt to cause a binding of a pair of cans betweencertain devices below the opening and the walls of the opening.

Directly beneath the opening provided between the guides I8 and I9 thereis mounted a shaft 21 which may be suitably supported by a pair ofbearing elements 28 secured in any suitable way to the outer sides ofthe plates I6 and II. The shaft 21 may.have keyed or splined thereto apair of elements 29 in the form of a portion of a star wheel, one ofthese elements being placed adjacent each of the side frames I6 and I1and being either in contact therewith or spaced slightly therefromdepending upon whether the machine is intended to handle filled or emptycans. The elements 29 are provided with a pair of curved surfaces 30 and3| which are suitably inclined toward the point 32 of a star wheel construction. When the elements 29 are in the position shown in Figure 2, acan dropping through the opening between the guides I8 and I9 willstrike the surfaces 30 and due to the slope of these surfaces and therelation of the center of gravity of the can with respect to the shaft21,

the members will be rocked about their pivots until the extensions 33engage the upper surfaces of plates 34 secured to the side plates l6 andI1. As a result of this operation the can in question will be directedinto the channel formed in part by the guides I8. The succeeding canpassing through the opening between the guides I8 and I9 will thenstrike the curved surfaces 3| of the elements 29 and will cause theseelements to be rocked in a clockwise direction until the melee-- tions35 strike the upper surfaces of the plates 34, being then again in theposition shown in full lines in Figure 2. In the course of this rockingmovement of the elements 29 the second can will be directed toward theguide l9. The elements 29 thus provide a means for dividing ordistributing the cans, fed continuously through the opening, alternatelyinto channels at the left and right of these elements.

The cans which are delivered to the left of the elements 29 slide overextensions 36 of the plates 34 and drop into contact'with one or theother of a pair of curved surfaces on star wheel elements 3! which aresimilar in all respects to the elements 29. The elements 31 are carriedby a be apparent that through the provision of the elements 31 a furtherseparation of the cans between two additional channels is provided. In

" a similar way a further separation of the cans directed toward theright of the elements 29 is effected. These cans roll over the ends 4|of plates 34 and drop into engagement with one or the other of the pairsof curved surfaces carried by s'tarwheel elements 42. These elements arekeyed to a shaft 43 suitably mounted in bearings 44 secured to the sideplates. movements of the elements 42 are limited in each direction byengagement of lateral wings or extensions thereof with plates orbrackets 45 secured to the side plates.

Suitable channels to receive the cans as they are distributed or dividedbetween the four lanes to the left and right of the shafts 38 and 43,respectively, are formed by guide strips'or plates 46 secured in anysuitable way to the side plates of the mechanism. The guide strips 46terminate directly in line with the inclined runways l3 and serve todeliver the cans to theserunways. It will be clear that through theprovision of the three sets of star wheel or divider elements 29, 31 and42, in; the manner explained, each successive group of four cans will bedistributed between the four separate runways l3. As illustrated inFigure 3, these runways may comprise a bottom plate 41 and side anglemembers 48 having their vertical legs suitably spaced a slight distancegreater than the height of the cans handled by the machine.

As the cans are discharged to the runways I 3, they are fed by gravityto the lower or righthand end of the machine, as shown in Figure 1,which constitutes the stacking chamber and boxing portion of themachine. Here the cans are arrested by a series of stops 50, one ofwhich is provided for each of the rows of cans. These stops, as will bepresently explained, are only temporarily held in the position shown. inFigpermit the cans to shift a slight distance further toward the end ofthe machine. At the same time a series of detents or divider bars onerelated to each of the runways, will be rocked downwardly in'synchronism with or preferably slightly in advance of the withdrawal ofthe stops 50 to engage the lowermost can on each runway and holditflback to produce a separation between the cans to be boxed and thoseremaining on the runways. This construction is for the purpose ofavoiding the'tearlng of the labels on the cans, which would arise fromthe relative longitudinal movement between those being shifted and theadjacent stationary cans. At the appropriate time the cans which havebeen properly lined up for boxing are forced by means of a pusher 52into a funnel 53 over or adjacent to which is placed the open end of thebox or carton into which the cans are to be loaded.

The rocking the pusher is given two operations of different magnitude.The first operation of the pusher, following the release of the trippingmechanism provided, serves to force two stacks or groups of cans placedend for end into the box; In the machine illustrated this will mean theboxing of twenty-four cans stacked intwo groups, end for end, of fourrows of three cans each! For this purpose the pusher is given its fullor long stroke. Subsequently after'a new set of cans has been fed intothe stacking chamber of the machine, the pusher is given its second orshort stroke which servesmerely to-force the single stack of cans intothe funnel. The parts are then restored to normal position so that a newstack of cans may be formed within the stacking portion of the machineand this new stack, together with the stack already in the funnel, willthen be forced into another box at the beginning of the next operation.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 8, the means for operating the stops,detents and pushers comprises a large cam 54 having camming projectionsextending axially from its opposite faces. This cam is carried by ashaft55 journalled in the side frames Id. The shaft 55 is in turn driven,through a suitable clutch connection, by a shaft 5t, connected with anelectric motor 51. The connection between the shafts 55 and 56 is madethrough suitable reduction gearing enclosed in a housing 58 and througha one-revolution clutch 59 of any suitable form, the construction beingsuch that under the control of a foot pedal, or any other suitable formof control mechanism, the cam 54 may be given a single revolution atwill. The foot pedal, or'similar control device, not shown, is disposedconveniently beneath the funnel 53 where it may be tripped by theoperator of the machine whenever he is ready to have the cans forcedinto a box, or the clutch may be tripped automatically upon applicationof a box to the funnel. The pedal may be connected by a link 60 to anysuitable mechanism for tripping the clutch to permit the shaft 55 to bedriven through one revolution at the end of which it will beautomatically stopped until the clutch is again tripped.

For the purpose of operating the stops 5B, the

cam '54 is provided with an axially extending camming projection 63adapted to cooperate with a roller 84 carried by an arm 65 secured to ashaft 68 suitably mounted in a bracket G60 supported by the framework ofthe machine. A spring 630,

serves to rock shaft 86 and the arm 65 to maintain the roller 64 inengagement with the surface of the cam. Also secured to the shaft 66 isan arm 51 which is connected by link 68 to a shaft 10 mounted in abracket Ii carried by the framework of the machine. A pair of arms 12,also secured to the shaft 10, carries a rod 130 which forms a pivotalconnect-ion between the arms and a rearward extension 13 of each of thestops 50. The extensions 13 are also pivotally connected by means of arod 14 to a pair of arms 15 pivotally supported by means of a shaft 16carried.

by the bracket H. The shafts l0 and 16, as well as the rods I30 and I4by which the arms 12 and I5 are connected to the stops 50, may extendverticaily to a sufficient extent to carry and operate all of thedetents simultaneously. Due to tl'. parallel link construction providedthe stops 5 will be moved in such a way as to maintain their forwardfaces in'a plane constantly parallel to that shown. Y

In order to provide for adjustment of the position of the stops tomaintain cans of different diameters in proper relation to the pushers,the link 99 may be provided with a series of holes 11, three beingshown, any one of which may be used in pivotally connecting the link bymeans of a bolt 19 to the arm 69. In this way the normal position of thestops may be varied to suit the requirements. As already indicated, thecam 93 is of such form as to cause the stops to be withdrawn twiceduring each operation of the machine at the appropriate time prior tothe operation of the pushers.

For the purpose of operating the detents or dividers 5i, a secondaxially extending cam formation I9 is provided on the element 54. Thiscam formation is adapted to cooperate with a roller 89 carried by an arm8| secured to a shaft 82 mounted in the bracket 669. A spring I99 servesto rock the arm to maintain the roller 99 in constant engagement withthe surface of the cam 19. Mounted on the shaft 92 and adapted to rotatetherewith is a yoke 83 having an upwardly extending bar 96 of channelform. A similarly formed bar 85 is vertically disposed at the oppositeside of the-machine and is provided with a yoke 86 secured to a shaft81. The two shafts 82 and 91 are adapted to be oscillated in unison butin opposite directions, angularly, by virtue of the interengagement ofsegments 89, one of which is secured to each of the shafts. Cooperatingwith the channels of the bars 94 and 85 are a series of rollers 89carried by arms 99 pivotally mounted on pins or studs iii. The arms 99are portions of hell crank levers having arms 92 which are.adapted tosupport the opposite ends of the series of detent rods 5 I, as bestshown in Figure 8. A bell crank 99, 92 is provided at each end of thedetents 5|.

It will be apparent that as the channel bars 84, 95 are shifted towardthe right in Figures 6 and 9, the bell cranks will be rocked in unisonin a clockwise direction to lower the detents into the path of the canson the runways I3. This downward movement of the detents will take placetwice during each cycle of the machine, due to the form of the cam I9,and it will be so timed as to occur substantially in unison butpreferably slightly in advance of the withdrawal of the stops 59. Whenthe detents are lowered the cans to the left of the same, as viewed inFigure 7, will be held against further movement along the runways andmay even be cammed slightly up the runways. As the withdrawal of thestops 59 is then continued, a separation will be effected between thethree cans in each row which are in line with the pushers and theremaining cans on the runways.

The means for operating the pushers comprises a cam formation 99extending axially from the opposite side of the element 54 from the camformations 69 and 19. A roller 94 carried by an arm 95 secured to ashaft 96 is held in contact with the surface of the cam formation 99 bymeans of a spring 91 which is attached at one end to a fixed portion ofthe machine and at its opposite end to an arm 99 secured to the shaft99. At its free end the arm 95 is connected to a bolt or stud 99 with anarm I99 pivotally connected with a vertically extending shaft or rod IN.This shaft at its upper end is connected by a similar system of links tothe shaft 99. For this purpose an arm I92 is secured to the shaft 99 andis connected by a stud or bojltlto an arm I93 pivotally connected to theupper end of the shaft I9I. Asthe arms 95 and I92 are rocked. about theaxis of the shaft 99, the shaft or rod I9I is drawn bodily toward thestacking chamber of the machine and in its movements is guided by meansof suitable guide elements I94 arranged adjacent both the top and bottomof the shaft. At its upper end the shaft I M may have secured thereto ashoe I9I9 which has grooves along its side edges adapted to engage andslide along the edges of the guides I94. This arrangement will preventturning of the shaft as it is shifted by the arms I99 and I92. A similarconstruction may be provided at the lower end of the shaft I9I, ifdesired, or a roller or collar I9II may be provided at this end to ridebetween the guides I94. Secured to the shaft or rod II, as by means ofsplit collars I95, are a series of yokes I99 which carry at theirforward ends the pushers'52. The yokes I 96 are suitably spaced alongthe rod IN to place the pushers 52 in line with the cans to be forcedinto the funnel 53 and into the box. They may be adjusted to any desiredelevation by unclamping the split collars. As previously mentioned, thecam 93 is adapted to give to the arm 95 and to the pushers both a longor complete stroke and a short or half stroke during each operation ofthe machine. For this purpose the cam surface is provided with a deepdepression or dwell 93I and a shallow dwell 932 appropriately situatedwith relation to the normal position of the cam. The relation of thevarious cam surfaces on the cam 54 is such that at the beginning of anoperation of the machine the detents 9| are lowered and the stops 59 arewithdrawn. The pushers 52 are then given their long or full stroke toforce two stacks or groups of cans into a box. The detents and stopsremain in their lowered and withdrawn positions throughout the operationof the pusher. During the continued operation. of the machine, after thepusher has been restored to its normal position the detents and stopsare also restored and a new stack of cans is formed in the stacking chamber. Subsequently the stops 59 and detents 5| are again operated and thepushers 52 again shifted to force the newly formed group or stack ofcans into the funnel 53 in readiness for the next operation of themachine. By timing the operations in this way the attendant may trip theclutch mechanism whenever he has a box in readiness to receive the cansfrom the funnel 53. While he is then preparing for the application of anew box to the funnel, the machine will continue its operation to storethe first stack or group of cans in the funnel. In order to facilitatethe operation of the machine by a single attendant suitable means,forming no part of the present improvements, may be provided for holdingthe boxes in position during the loading operation and for lowering ordischarging them after they have been loaded. This leaves the operatorfree to attend to the preparation and application of the boxes to thefunnel.

In order to adapt the machine to more readily handle cans of differentdiameters, provision is made for varying the positions of the ends ofthe runways I3 which are located In and adjacent the stacking chamber ofthe machine. It is desirable to reduce as far as possible the amount ofseparation between the cans in the various rows as they stand in thestacking chamber. Any separation between the rows at this point must beeliminated as the cans are forced into the funnel 59 by the dropping ofthe upper rows of cans and it is de sirable to reduce this movement to aminimum. In the adjustment of the runways I3, provision is made forraising the lower runways at the same time that the upper rimways arelowered so as to bring about a convergence between the upper andlowermost runways. To effect the adjustment, each runway, as well as theupper guide above the top row of cans, is supported adjacent the detents5I by means of a bracket I0'I which is carried by a rod I08. Each ofthese brackets has an arm I09 which carries the pivot 9i for the bellcranks 90, 92. The intermediate one of the five brackets I01. issupported by the rod I08 at a fixed elevation'but the runways and guideabove and below the central runway are adjustable toward and away fromthe latter. For this purpose the rod is provided with aseries of threadsIIO, III, II! and H3. The threads H0 and III may be righthand threads,for example, while the threads H2 and H3 are lefthand or of oppositesense to the upper threads. Furthermore, the threads H0 and H3 aredouble or are of greater pitch than the threads II I and H2; therefore,as the shaft or rod is rotated, the threaded engagement between thevarious series of. threads and the brackets I01 will cause the twouppermost brackets to move downwardly and the two lowermost brackets tomove upwardly and vice versa, depending upon the direction of rotationof the shaft I08. Furthermore, the rate of advance toward or recessionfrom the central runway for the uppermost and lowermost brackets will bedouble, or at least materially greater than that for the two bracketsadjacent the central bracket. At. its upper and lower ends the shaft I08is suitably supported by bearings H4 and H5, respectively. It will beunderstood that a rod I08 and a series of brackets I0'I will beprovidedon each side of the runways and adjustment of the two sides should beeffected in unison to maintain the runways in proper planes. To insureuniform adjustment of the two shafts, they may be provided with sprocketwheels II6 connected by a chain III, and either shaft may have ahandwheel at its upper end or be adapted to receive a wrench.

The funnel 53 may be supported in any suitableway by the framework ofthe machine and may be replaced by funnels of differentfsizes whendiiferent sized cans and boxes are used.

The intended mode of operation of the machine has been suflicientlyfully set forth in connection with the detailed description of thevarious portions of the same so that a general rsum of operation isbelieved to be unnecessary. While an illustrative form of the inventionhas been set forth in considerable detail, it is to be understood thatvarious changes and modifications may be made in the construction of theparts and the arrangement disclosed without departing from 'ently ofother features.

, tions of the pusher and other partsduring a single operation ofthemachine so that two stacks or groups of cans will be simultaneouslyforced into a box, this construction may be varied whenever desired toprovide for only a single, preferably long, operation of the pusherduring each operation of the'machine so that only a single group will beboxedv at a time. Similarly, the number of rows of cans and the numberof cans in each row to be forced into a box at one time may be varied tosuit conditions.

What we claim-is: I

1. In a machine of the class described means for stacking cans in aplurality of rows arranged one above the other, means for shifting saidcans in the direction of their axes, and an operating mechanism for saidmachine adapted to operate said shifting means twice and to differentextents .during a single cycle of operation.

2. In a machine of the class described means for stacking cans in aplurality of rows arranged one above the other, means for shifting saidcans in the directionof their axes, and an operating mechanism for saidmachine adapted to operate said. shifting means twice and to differentextents during a single cycle of operation, said first mentioned meansforming a stack of cans between each operation of said shifting means.

3. In a machine'of the class described means for stacking cans in aplurality of rows arranged one above the other, means for shifting saidcans in the direction of their axes, a main operating mechanism, andconnections from said operating mechanism for giving a partial and acomplete operation to said shifting means at different periods of asingle operation of said mechanism.

4. In a machine of the class described means for stacking cans in aplurality of rows arranged one above the other, means for shifting saidcans in the direction of their axes, a. main operating mechanism, andconnections from said operating mechanism for giving a partial and acomplete operation to said shifting means at different periods of asingleoperation of said mechanism, the complete operation being given tosaid shifting means prior to the partial operation during a cycle ofsaid operating mechanism.

5. In a machine of the class described means for stacking cans in aplurality of rows arranged l shifting said group together with anothergroup into a box. 1

6. In a machine of the class described means for stacking cans in aplurality of rows arranged one above the other, means for shifting saidcans in the direction of their axes, means for storing a group ofstacked cans, and means for operating said shifting means to first shifta group of cans from said stacking means into said storing means andsubsequently shifting said group into a box, said stacking means beingoperable to form a second group of cans in line with the stored group ofcans between the operations of said shifting means, whereby two groupsof cans will be simultaneously shifted into a box.

7. In a machine of the class described means for stacking cans in aplurality of rows arranged one above the other, means for shifting ,saidcans in the direction of their axes, means for storing a group ofstacked cans, an operating mechanism adapted to be released for a singlecycle of operation, and connections from said mechanism for operatingsaid shifting means near the end of one cycle of operation to shift agroup of cans into said storing means, and for operating said shiftingmeans during the next cycle of operation to shift said group of cansfrom said storing means into a box.

8. In a machine of the class. described means for stacking cans in aplurality of rows arranged I cycle of operation, and connections fromsaid mechanism for operating said shifting means near the end of onecycle oi operation to shift a group of cans into said storing means,

and for operating said shifting means during the next cycle of operationto shift said group of cans from said storing means into a box, saidstacking means being operable to form a second group of cans in linewith the stored group or 10 cans between the operations of said shiftingmeans, whereby two groups of cans will be simultaneously shifted into abox.

9. In a machine of the class described apiu rality of spaced superposedcan supports and means for adjusting said supports to reduce or increasethe spacing between the same at will, said means comprising devices forsimultaneously raising certain of said supports and lowering others.

10. In a machine of the class described a plurality of spaced superposedcan supports and means for adjusting said supports to reduce or increasethe spacing between the same at will,

' said means serving to simultaneously shift the 26 supports at oppositesides of a substantially horizontal median plane through the same inopposite directions.

11. In a machine of the class described a can stacking chamber, meansfor delivering cans in 30 rows into said chamber, stops at the end ofsaid chamber for arresting the cans delivered thereto, detents adaptedto prevent the movement of cans into said chamber, means adjustablyconnected with said stops to withdraw the same, a main op- 35 cratingmechanism, and a cam for simultaneously operating said last mentionedmeans and controlling the movement of said detents twice uponeach cycleof operation of said main operating mechanism.

40 12. In a machine of the class described a can stacking chamber, aplurality of superposed runways for delivering cans into said chamber,pivoted detents adjacent the ends of said runways for arresting the cansthereon, means for adjust- 46 ing the elevation of said runways and thepivots of said detents, and means including a channel bar adapted tocooperate with all of said detents regardless of their elevationaladjustment to simultaneously rock the same into and out of can 60arresting position.

modate cans oi dii'lerent diameter, said last 10 mentioned means servingalso to shift the pivots of said detents.

14. In a machine of the class described a distributor having anadjustable opening for the reception of cans of different sizes, aplurality of 15 spaced superposed runways adapted to receive the cansfrom said distributor, said runways delivering said cans into a stackingchamber, and means for varying the spacing between the delivery ends ofsaid runways by simultaneously shifting certain of the same in oppositedirections to accommodate cans of diiIerent sizes.

15. A machine of the character described comprising a can-holding rackadapted to receive and hold a plurality of cans for ejecting into acase, an ejector mounted for reciprocable movement in the rack forejecting the cans, power means for operating said ejector, andcontrolling means for giving said ejector short and long strokes wherebya row of cans is moved forward in the rack upon ashort stroke andejected upon a long stroke.

16. In a machine of the class described a can stacking chamber, aplurality of superposed runways for delivering cans into said chamber,detents adjacent the ends of said runways for arresting the cansthereon, the said detents each having an actuating member movablelongitudinally of said runways, an operating member extending verticallyof said superposed runways and having a longitudinally extendingchannel, the said actuating members being disposed in said channel andengaging the walls thereoi, and means for moving said operating memberlongitudinally of said runways to cause the simultaneans actuation ofsaid detents.

WALLACE D. KIMBALL. CORNELIUS I. BRAREN. GEORGE P. SCHAEFER.

